Accident Overview
A pilot reported that, before the flight, the airplane was fueled with 140 gallons of Jet A fuel. Shortly after takeoff, both engines experienced a total loss of power. With insufficient altitude to return to the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. The left wing sustained substantial damage, and a postcrash fire ensued.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the airplane was inadvertently fueled with Jet A fuel rather than the required AVGAS for its reciprocating engines. The line service worker who fueled the airplane reported that there were no decals at the airplane fuel ports. However, a postaccident examination of the airplane found a decal specifying AVGAS was present at the right-wing fuel port. The investigation could not determine whether a similar decal was present at the left-wing fuel port because that wing was partially consumed during the postimpact fire.
Probable Cause
The fixed-base operator’s incorrect fueling of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines, was determined as the probable cause.